Endless-tread chain



S. S. MORTON.

^ ENDLEss TREAD CHAIN.

AP'PLlcAlloN FILED AUG. 1. |921.

.Patented Aug. 29, 1922'.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

S. S. MORTON.

ENDLESS TREAD CHAIN. APPLabAnoN msn Aue.1, 1921.

1,427,542, P atentedAug. 29, 1922. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a f// i Lan f2 LOTE-E @Hor/neg Umren stares PATENT OFFlCE...

SAMUEL S. NORTON, Ol PHELADELPHIA, PENNSTIPiAlYI'IA.y

ENDLESS-TREAD CHAIN.

i ,aaasaa endless tread chains such as those used on tractors, tanks and other heavy machines requiring that their weight be equally distributed over quite an extensive area. Chains ot this type are usually trained varound `'front `and rear sprockets but when a noticeable amount of wear has taken place on the pivots which connect the several links, ksaid links have a tendency to climb the teeth of the sprocket wheels, often producing very injurious results.

The object ot' my invention however is to provide a novel form ot tread chain embodying means for adjusting the spaced relation ot' the several links regardless of the amount of wear which may have taken place, so

that the chains will at all times properly mesh with the teeth of the sprocket wheels.I

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel construction and association of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the descriptive matter being supplemented by the accompanying drawings.

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevation of a tractor equipped with the chain.

Figure 2 is a side elevation oli several links.

Figure 3 is a plan view.

Figure 4; is a longitudinal section on line l-a of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

ln the drawings above briefly described, l have shown a portion oi a tread chain l constructed in accordance with the present invention and have illustrated the 'liront sprocket 2 o'll a tractor, over which the cha-in is trained, the lower reach of said chain being received between spaced plates 3y which however form no part of the present invention.

The tread chain l is constructed ot a plurality of pivotally connected links, each ot said links comprising a tread plate 5 having Specification of Letters Patent. Paljlltd fitug'. 29, Application led August 1. 1921. Serial No. 489,056. l

on its inner side a pair of longitudinal flanges 6 whose ends are so offset 'that the flanges ot the several links may properly overlap. Each flange 6 is provided in one end with an` eye 7, at its other end with a longitudinal notch or slot 8, between its ends with a relatively large recess 9, and is additionally formed with an opening l() leading from this recess to the slot 8. A pivot pin ll passes through the eyes 7 of each link and the projecting ends of this pin are received in the slots 8 of the next adjacent link, being secured to the latter by adjusting bolts or screws l2 which pass through the openings l0 and are here shown threaded through the pins ll. The heads of the bolts l2 are located in the recesses 9 and are preferably provided with openings through which cotter pins 1S pass, said pins being adapted to strike the intermediate portions ot the flanges 6 and thereby lock the bolts against rotation after adjustment.

In the present showing, the pivot pins 1l are received between the teeth of the sprocket wheel 2 and thus form the driving connections between the chain l and said i sprocket wheel and whenever any wear takes place which causes said pins to have a tendency to climb the teeth of the sprocket, the pins may be relatively adjusted by means or the bolts l2 so that they will be spaced to such an extent as tocause them to accurately mesh with the sprocket teeth, thereby obviating a great deal of difficulty which would otherwise be encountered.

Since excellent results may be obtained -trono the details disclosed, they are by preterence lfollowed, but within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous minor 'changes may be made.

l claim:

l. An endless tread chain comprising a plurality ot overlapping links each having and slidably received in the slot ot' the next adjacent link, and screw-threaded adjusting devices acting on each pivot pin and reacting on the next link engaged by said pivot pin, for adjusting the pin in its receiving slot.

2. An endless tread chain .comprising a plurality( ot overlapping links each havingk a longitudinal slotlin one end, a recess between its ends, and an opening extending from said recess to said slot, a pivot pin carried by the other end of each of said linksv and slidably received in the slot of the neXt adjacent link, and bolts connected with said pins and extending through said openings for adjusting` said pins in said slotsfand consequently adjusting the spaced relation of said links.

3. ln an endless tread chain, a plurality of linksl each comprising a tread plate having a pair. of, longitudinal flanges on its innerside, each flange having an eye in one end, a longitudinal slot in its other end, a recess between-its ends and an opening leading from said slot to said recess; a pivot pin passing through the eyes of each of said links and slidably received in the slots of the next adjacent link7 and bolts connected with said pins and received in said openings of the Vlinks for relatively adjusting` the latter. 4

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

. SAMUEL S. MORTON. 

